Champions League

This was a season which saw most of Europe’s leading teams progress comfortably to the knockout stages. In the ‘Group of Death’ Inter Milan missed out on qualifying from Group F, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund both progressing. Elsewhere, last year's surprise semi-finalists Ajax failed to progress as, for the first-time, only clubs from England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France progressed.

Written by Joel Kiffin Designed by Katerina O’Shaughnessy

Liverpool

Liverpool backed up their Champions League triumph last year by winning their group in what has so far been an impressive season for the Merseyside outfit.

However, despite qualification, it wasn’t a faultless group stage in what has been a brilliant start to the season for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Napoli took four points off Liverpool whilst an impressive RB Salzburg side ran them close in both matches as Liverpool waited until the final matchday to secure qualification.

However, Liverpool remain well-placed to defend their Champions League title with a last-16 tie against an Atletico Madrid side in transition to look forward to in February.

Manchester City

Manchester City finished the group stages of the Champions League as the only English side to go unbeaten.

After being drawn in a favourable group, Manchester City quickly put themselves in a position of strength by winning their opening three games.

Despite drawing their next two matches to Atalanta and Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City qualified as group winners with a game to spare as Pep Guardiola looks to win the Champions League with them for the first time.

However, whilst the group stage draw may have been kind to Manchester City, they now prepare for a mouth-watering clash with Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Chelsea

Chelsea’s Champions League campaign has so far mirrored their league form – inconsistent. Their high points included a dramatic fightback to draw 4-4 from 4-1 down against 9-man Ajax and an impressive 1-0 win in Amsterdam to last year’s semi-finalists.

However, a costly defeat on the opening matchday at home to Valencia, a match in which Ross Barkley missed a late penalty, proved decisive in ensuring Chelsea had to settle for second place, a result of their inferior head-to-head record with the Spanish side.

Nonetheless, Chelsea can look forward to the knockout stages. A last-16 tie against Bayern Munich, a repeat of the 2012 final, awaits them.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham recovered from letting a two-goal lead slip to draw in Greece against Olympiakos to ensure all four English teams made it to the last 16.

A strong recovery from Spurs to win 4-2 after being 2-0 down in their home match against the Greeks, coupled with convincing wins home and away against Red Star Belgrade ensured qualification.

However, bruising defeats to Bayern, particularly a 7-2 thrashing at home demonstrated the gulf that currently exists between Tottenham and the very best European sides.

Tottenham face Champions League debutants RB Leipzig in the last 16 as they seek to recapture the form that took them within 90 minutes of winning the last Champions League.